Ready, set, picnic: Britain’s perfect picnic spots, ranked

There’s something undeniably iconic about the Great British picnic. Whether you favour a classic spread of sandwiches and sausage rolls, or prefer continental favourites like cheese and charcuterie, there’s no better way to while away a few hours outside.

With the days getting longer and the promise of summer just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to pack up the car and head out in search of Britain’s best picnic spots.

To help you find the perfect place for an al fresco feast, we’ve analysed scenic locations around the country, comparing metrics such as TripAdvisor scores, parking costs, average summer temperatures and Instagram popularity.

All that’s left for you to do is dig out the cool bag, check you have breakdown cover in place, and hit the road.

The top 10 picnic spots by region

Great Britain is home to some fantastic parks and open spaces so, no matter where in the country you are, you’re spoilt for choice. Here are the top picnic locations by region...

South East – Richmond Park, Greater London

Scoring top marks for number of Google searches, number of Instagram hashtags, and average Google review score, Richmond Park stands out as the ultimate picnic destination. Visitors praise its peaceful atmosphere despite its London location, with plenty of secluded patches of grass to lay out a blanket among the ancient woodlands and resident free-roaming deer. Its elevated viewpoints, including King Henry’s Mound, offer stunning skyline views, especially on a clear summer’s day. It’s also free to park!

South West – Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset

The hugely popular Moors Valley Country Park is packed with activities for the whole family – there's everything from imaginative wooden playgrounds and tree top trails to 18-hole mini adventure golf and a Go Ape high ropes course. It’s no wonder the park has earned an average Google review score of 4.6. You can even enjoy a ride around the forest on an authentic steam train. When hunger strikes, grab a picnic bench or find a secluded spot among the trees.

East – Nene Park, Cambridgeshire

Set along the River Nene on the edge of Peterborough, this expansive park boasts an average Google review score of 4.8 – joint highest of all the locations we analysed. Its scenic waterside views, wide meadows and average 20-degree summer temperatures make it ideal for picnics. What’s more, with watersports like kayaking, pedalo boating and stand up paddleboarding available, there’s no shortage of ways to work up an appetite before lunch.

West Midlands – Cannock Chase, Staffordshire

If you’re after a back-to-nature picnic spot, Cannock Chase is hard to beat. The largest green space in the Midlands is all about open countryside, with rolling heathland, dense woodland and far-reaching views. There are lots of quiet clearings and tucked-away corners to settle in for a spot of lunch. And, as parking is just £3.50 for the full day, you can take your time exploring walking trails to stretch your legs after driving.

East Midlands – Bradgate Park, Leicestershire

Situated in the heart of the UK, Bradgate Park is an ideal stop off if you’re driving across the country. It’s been a designated deer park for more than 800 years, and the animals still roam free today. The park has an impressive 4.8 TripAdvisor score, thanks in part to its extensive facilities, including a visitor centre, a popular coffee shop, picnic tables and reasonably priced parking.

North West – Heaton Park, Greater Manchester

With 165,000 monthly searches, our research found Heaton Park was the most Googled park outside of London. It’s easy to see why it’s such a hit – for starters, it’s the biggest urban park in Europe, covering a whopping 600 acres. For a picnic with a view, head to the top of the hill by Heaton Hall. From here, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Manchester city skyline. There’s plenty more to keep you busy, including a boating lake, animal centre, playgrounds and even an 18-hole golf course.

North East – Hardwick Park, County Durham

With roots dating back to the 18th century, Hardwick Park offers a picnic setting steeped in history, with an excellent average Google review score of 4.7. Originally a personal estate, the park was carefully restored in 2010, following a major Heritage Lottery-funded project. Today, visitors can stop for a bite beside beautiful lakes and gothic follies, with a full day’s parking costing just £3.50. There’s also a designated barbecue area – ideal if burgers and sausages are your preferred picnic foods.

Yorkshire and the Humber – Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire

Boasting 500 acres of countryside and more than 90 sculptures by artists from all over the world, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is more of an open-air gallery than a park. The striking installations and scenic outlooks have made it a social media favourite, with over 100,000 Instagram hashtags and a strong average Google review score of 4.6. Pack your favourite treats, find a spot among the artwork and enjoy a picnic with a creative twist.

Wales – Margam Country Park, Port Talbot

With wide-open green spaces, botanical gardens and even its very own castle, Margam Country Park has earned a high average Google review score of 4.7. If you’re with the kids, don’t miss the chance to feed the park’s resident goats, donkeys and alpacas – bags of animal feed can be bought from the gift shop. You can also hop on the Margam Train, a charming narrow-gauge railway that winds through the park, offering close-up views across the lake towards the castle.

Scotland – Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

Right on the edge of Edinburgh, and with a standout 4.8 average Google review score, Holyrood Park offers a picnic spot that feels worlds away from the buzz of the city. There’s no shortage of grassy areas perfect for tucking in, with St Margaret’s Loch providing a peaceful waterside setting. Alternatively, if you’re up for a bit of a workout, the walk up to the top of Arthur’s Seat rewards you with one of the best picnic backdrops in the UK. Parking for the day will set you back £8.

Picnic spots offering free parking

Don’t let parking costs scupper your picnic plans. These spots all let you park for free* (which means more money for post-picnic ice-cream).

Region	Park Name	Full Address	Postcode
South East	Bushy Park	Hampton Court Road, Hampton, Middlesex	TW12 2EJ
South East	Horton Country Park	Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey	KT19 8PL
South East	Ouse Valley Park	Old Wolverton Road, Wolverton, Milton Keynes	MK12 5NL
South East	Ranscombe Farm Country Park	Cuxton Road, Halling, Rochester, Kent	ME2 1LA
South East	Richmond Park	Richmond Park, Richmond, Surrey	TW10 5HS
South East	Trent Park	Cockfosters Road, Enfield, London	EN4 0JY
East	Farley Mount Country Park	Farley Mount Road, Winchester, Hampshire	SO21 2JN
West Midlands	Arrow Valley Country Park	Battens Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire	B98 0LJ
West Midlands	Berryhill Fields	Hall Hill Drive, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent	ST2 0SW
West Midlands	Kingfisher Country Park	Packington Avenue, Shard End, Birmingham	B34 7RD
West Midlands	Woodgate Valley Country Park	Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham	B32 3DS
East Midlands	Bestwood Country Park	Park Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham	NG6 8TQ
North West	Ashton Park	Pedders Lane, Ashton On Ribble, Preston, Lancashire	PR2 1HL
North West	Prestwich Forest Park	Park Lane, Whitefield, Prestwich, Manchester	M45 7HL
North West	Reddish Vale Country Park	Mill Lane, Reddish, Stockport	SK5 7HE
Yorkshire and the Humber	Londesborough Park	Londesborough, Market Weighton, York	YO43 3LJ
Wales	Dare Valley Country Park	Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf	CF44 7PS
Scotland	Beecraigs Country Park	Beecraigs, Linlithgow, West Lothian	EH49 6PL
Scotland	Brimmond Country Park	Brimmond Hill, Aberdeen	AB15 8SJ
Scotland	Chatelherault Country Park	Ferniegair, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire	ML3 7UE
Scotland	Dams to Darnley Country Park	190 Carnwadric Road, Glasgow	G46 8HT
Scotland	Drumpellier Country Park	Townhead Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire	ML5 1RX
Scotland	Eglinton Country Park	Eglinton Park, Irvine, North Ayrshire	KA12 8TA
Scotland	Gleniffer Braes Country Park	Glenfield Road, Paisley	PA2 8TE
Scotland	Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve	Kincorth Hill Road, Aberdeen	AB12 5ET
Scotland	Lochore Meadows Country Park	Lochgelly, Fife	KY5 8BA
Scotland	Mugdock Country Park	Craigallian Road, Milngavie, Glasgow	G62 8EL
Scotland	Palacerigg Country Park	Palacerigg Road, Cumbernauld	G67 3HU
Scotland	Strathclyde Country Park	366 Hamilton Road, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire	ML1 3ED

The top 20 leaderboard

We’ve revealed the best picnic spots by region, but who made the overall top 20? Check out the leaderboard below...

Weather-proof your picnic

The unpredictable British weather doesn’t have to spoil your fun. If you need a plan B, your trusty car can make a great impromptu picnic spot. Just keep in mind the following expert advice from AA Patrol of the Year, Lee Morley...

1. Don’t eat while driving

   It might be tempting to tuck into your picnic on the move, but eating behind the wheel can be considered ‘driving without due care and attention’. If it distracts you, you could face fines, penalty points, or even prosecution in more serious cases.

2. Make sure you’re properly parked

   If you’re stopping to eat, always park safely and legally. Avoid stopping on verges, double yellow lines, or in unsafe lay-bys. If you’re in a designated car park, check signage to ensure picnicking in your vehicle is permitted.

3. Turn off the engine

   Idling while you eat might seem harmless, but it can be illegal in some areas and contributes to unnecessary emissions. Switch off the engine once parked – not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it also avoids potential fines.

4. Avoid alcohol

   If you’re the designated driver, avoid any alcohol to ensure you stay within the legal alcohol limits. Even small amounts can impair your judgement. If you’ve been drinking, stay off the road, and if you have to drive, stay off the drink.

5. Keep your windscreen and controls clear

   Food packaging, drinks or condensation can obstruct your view or interfere with controls. Make sure everything is tidy before setting off again.

Methodology

We analysed the 100 largest parks in Britain to assess their picnic suitability by using the following metrics: average monthly Google search volume, average Google review score, number of Instagram hashtags, full day car parking cost (or 8-hourly rate if only hourly rate available), average hours of sunshine in June and maximum daytime temperature in June. Each location was indexed and scored out of 100, with higher scores awarded for popularity, better weather conditions and lower costs. Data collected in March 2026.

*Parking costs correct at date of research